Estudio seroepidemiológico de la toxoplasmosis humana en Osorno, X Región, Chile, 1998

A serological survey was carried out in Osorno X Region, Chile (40o 21'-40o 46' south lat, and 73o 26'-72o-46' west long.). An indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) for toxoplasmosis was performed to 305 persons, 160 blood donors and 145 with sexuallly transmitted diseases (STD).The age the surveyed persons (167 males and 138 females) varied between 10 and 72 years. IHAT titers >16 were considered as positive. The general prevalence was 20.3 percent, 21.2 percent in blood donors and 19.3 percent in persons with some STD, with no differences between males and females. However, significant differences between males and females with STD were found (35.6 percent and 8.1 percent respectively). No differences between urban and rural inhabitants were found, with a slight higher prevalence in the urban ones. No antibodies against toxoplasma gondii were detected in six AIDS patients. The importance of performing toxoplasmosis immnuodiagnosis and individual profilaxis to avoid the infection in high risk group are recommended